Li De apologizes after the loss to China U23, stars from Changzhou 2018 flood in with shocking comments.

Pham Ly Duc tearfully posted an apology after the defeat against China U23 on the morning of January 21st, but it was the 'strange' reactions from his seniors from the 2018 Changzhou tournament in the comments section that truly caused an online uproar.

"An apology is never enough."

Immediately after the 0-3 defeat against China U23, center-back Pham Ly Duc – one of the standout players but also one of the most pressured – made an emotional move on his personal page. Instead of remaining silent to avoid public opinion, the player born in 2003 chose to confront the situation directly.

Ly Duc wrote briefly: "Thank you to everyone who supported us. I bow my head and apologize to the Vietnamese fans. An apology is never enough." These emotionally charged words quickly received thousands of interactions. In a match where the Vietnam U23 team faced so many disadvantages – from the absence of Hieu Minh due to injury to the cruel red card given to Ly Duc himself – this apology served as a release for the pain of the young players who had just missed out on a ticket to the final.

The "big brother" effect: When "cornerstones" become pillars of support.

What caught the attention of the online community was not only Ly Duc's apology, but also the reaction from key players of the Vietnamese national team. Immediately below the post, a host of "stars" of domestic football appeared to defend their younger teammate against the wave of criticism.

Que Ngoc Hai: The former captain of the Vietnamese national team sent a message: "Stay strong, my younger brother. You have all tried your best and given your all." Having experienced many ups and downs and even storms of public opinion, Hai Que's words carry the weight of an older brother, understanding the tremendous pressure at the continental level.

Tran Dinh Trong, once known as the "expert at hunting down foreign players," also left a profound comment: "One match cannot judge the extent of an amazing journey, my friend."

Bui Tien Dung & Van Toan: Both agreed that the entire team fought their hardest for the national colors. Van Toan emphasized that the result of one match should not be used to negate the efforts of an entire successful tournament.

Failure is the spice of growth.

Looking back at their journey at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship, the Vietnam U23 team under coach Kim Sang Sik truly had a very commendable tournament. Winning all their group stage matches and confidently advancing to the semi-finals is proof of the strength of this generation of players. The loss against China U23 was merely a "low point" due to unforeseen circumstances and the opponent's temporary superiority in the second half.

The timely intervention of his seniors was not only a comforting gesture but also a message of unity between generations. Football, like life, shows that a stumble at the age of 23 is not the end, but a painful lesson that helps players like Pham Ly Duc rise stronger.

The Vietnamese online community is also spreading a positive message; instead of criticizing, they are choosing to support the young players. Because, after all, the never-give-up spirit is the core value that fans are always proud of in Vietnamese football.

After all, the pats on the back from the 'Changzhou legends' were an invaluable morale booster, helping Ly Duc and the young players understand that today's defeat is just the first brick in building the character of future champions. An apology may not be enough, but the support of the older generation is the clearest evidence of the Vietnamese football spirit: Where we fall, we will get up together!

Chinese coach boasts after victory over Vietnam U23, Weibo explodes with 'a sleepless night'. An Lâm09:25:09 21/01/2026In the early hours of January 21, 2026, the most unbelievable scenario in the U23 Asian Championship semi-finals unfolded. The Chinese U23 team, previously doubted for their goal-scoring ability, unexpectedly transformed themselves to defeat their formidable opponent, the Vietnamese U23 team, with a resounding 3-0 victory.